This weekend, the television adaptation of DC’s comic, “Human Target”, will premiere on Fox. The show of the same title stars Mark Valley (“Fringe”), Jackie Earle Haley (“Watchmen”) and Chi McBride (“Pushing Daisies”). How is the show different from the comic book? Mark Valley’s character, Christopher Chance, does not step into the targeted client’s shoes but instead places himself in a new identity close to the target to discover the killer’s identity. Valley explains why this chance was necessary in the television adaptation:
“To be honest with you, when I was reading the comics, I would get a little bit confused. It’s a graphic novel and usually it’s pretty explanatory, but I was getting a little confused [about] which one is Chance and which one is the real person. They had to go to great lengths even in the comic book to make this exposition and explain [if] this is the real Chance or not. Even going as far as doing that on television — they tried doing that with the Rick Springfield show [1992 TV adaptation]— and I think it’s something that would be really hard to maintain. It would be hard to show it and hard to explain it.”
“This way, it really keeps the spirit of the character, in that he does create a character — he creates someone who comes between [the killer] and the target.”
Here’s the official description of the show:
Call him what you like, because for Chance, it’s about one thing only: saving his clients’ lives. When there is an unusual or imminent threat that can’t be solved through “normal” means of protection, Chance is hired to completely integrate himself into his clients’ lives to become the human target. If you’re a corporate manager whose disgruntled employee has gone violently off the deep end, Chance is your new auditor. If you’re the president of a bank who’s been tipped off to a potential heist, Chance is your unassuming bank teller.
During each job, Chance, assisted by his business partner WINSTON (Chi McBride, “Pushing Daisies”) and hired gun GUERRERO (Jackie Earle Haley, “Watchmen”), puts himself directly in the line of fire as he races against time to save his client, while unraveling the truth behind the mission. With every new danger, Chance’s dark history will also unravel. Does anyone know who Christopher Chance really is, or what secrets lay buried in his past? What would make a man willingly become a HUMAN TARGET?
HUMAN TARGET is a production of Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Television. Jon Steinberg (“Jericho”), McG (“Terminator Salvation”), Simon West (“Con Air,” “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”) and Brad Kern (“Charmed”) serve as executive producers. Peter Johnson (“Chuck”) is a co-executive producer. West directed the pilot.
Check out these trailers for “Human Target” and a spotlight on Mark Valley’s character Christopher Chance:
“Human Target” Promo Trailer with Guest Star, Tricia Helfer (“BSG”):
“Human Target” Series Premiere Featurette:
“Human Target” Profile- Christopher Chance
The series preview of Fox’s “Human Target” is this Sunday, January 17th at 8/7 C. The series premieres Wednesday, January 20th at 9/8 C.
[Source] MTV
